Flameless Candle with Multi-Purpose Flame Element

ABSTRACT

A flameless candle may include a candle body configured to house a power source, a light source configured to selectively receive power from the power source; and a flame element. The flame element may include an interior surface and an exterior surface. The flame element may be configured to receive light emitted from the light source at the interior surface and to pass through at least a portion of the light to the exterior surface. The flame element may be configured to move with respect to the candle body to act as an actuator to selectively activate at least one function of the flameless candle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Appl. No.62/902,203, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Generally, this application relates to flameless candles, andparticularly, to a flameless candle with a movable flame element thatserves as an actuator to cause at least one function.

Conventional flameless candles may include many forms, such as tealights, votive candles, pillar candles, and taper candles. Suchflameless candles may have an exposed flame element extending from anupper surface. The flame element may emulate the flame of a conventionalflamed candle.

SUMMARY

According to certain embodiments, a flameless candle may include: acandle body that houses a power source; a light source that selectivelyreceives power from the power source; and a flame element including aninterior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the flame element thatreceives light emitted from the light source at the interior surface andpasses through at least a portion of the light to the exterior surface,wherein the flame element moves with respect to the candle body to actas an actuator to selectively activate at least one function of theflameless candle (for example, illuminating the light source). Thecandle body may include an outer shell and a base, wherein the outershell may include an aperture configured to receive the flame element.

The flame element may move in a horizontal (e.g., rotational) orvertical dimension. The flame element may rotate between a firstposition and a second position with respect to the candle body. At leasta portion of the light source (e.g., a lead of an LED package) mayrotate with the flame element such that, when in the first position, thelight source receives a current from the power source and when in thesecond position, the light source does not receive the current from thepower source. The light source may include a light-emitting diodepackage including a first lead and a second lead. The first lead may beconstantly electrically connected to a first terminal of the powersource, and the second lead may be electrically connected (e.g.,directly contacting) to a second terminal of the power source only whenthe flame element is in the first position. The flame element mayinclude an arm extending radially and configured to receive the secondlead, such that the second lead rotates with the flame element. Thesecond lead may be configured to contact a lateral surface of the powersource when the second lead is in the first position. The second leadmay alternatively be configured to contact a top surface of the powersource when the second lead is in the first position. The flame elementmay include a downwardly-extending portion extending downwardly from thearm, wherein the downwardly-extending portion may be configured to applyinward pressure to the second lead when the flame element is in thefirst position. The second lead may include a first portion extendingradially away from a body of the light source and a second portionextending downwardly away from the first portion, and the second portionof the second lead may contact the lateral surface of the power sourcewhen the second lead is in the first position.

The flameless candle is may provide auditory and/or tactile feedbackwhen the flame element is moved into at least one of the first positionor the second position. The base may include at least one detentconfigured to receive a portion of the flame element to provide thetactile feedback. The at least one detent may include a first detentconfigured to receive a portion of the flame element in the firstposition and a second detent configured to receive a portion of theflame element in the second position. The first detent and second detentmay face inwardly or upwardly. The power source may have a center axisalong a Z-dimension extending upwardly from a center of the powersource, and a casing of the light source may have a center axis along aZ-dimension extending upwardly from a center of the casing of the lightsource, such that the center axis of the power source is offset from thecenter axis of the casing of the light source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a flameless candle according tocertain techniques of this application.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a flameless candle according tocertain techniques of this application.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a flameless candleaccording to certain techniques of this application.

FIG. 4 illustrates an LED package according to certain techniques ofthis application.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a flamelesscandle according to certain techniques of this application.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a flamelesscandle according to certain techniques of this application.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a flamelesscandle according to certain techniques of this application.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of a portion of a flameless candleaccording to certain techniques of this application.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a flamelesscandle according to certain techniques of this application.

FIG. 10A illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a flamelesscandle according to certain techniques of this application.

FIG. 10B illustrates a partially exploded view of a portion of aflameless candle according to certain techniques of this application.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a flame element according tocertain techniques of this application.

FIG. 12A illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a flamelesscandle according to certain techniques of this application.

FIG. 12B illustrates an exploded view of a flame element and an LEDpackage according to certain techniques of this application.

FIG. 13A illustrates an elevational view of a portion of a flamelesscandle according to certain techniques of this application.

FIG. 13B illustrates an elevational view of a portion of a flamelesscandle according to certain techniques of this application.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain techniques of the present application, will be better understoodwhen read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes ofillustration, certain techniques are shown in the drawings. It should beunderstood, however, that the claims are not limited to the arrangementsand instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. Furthermore, theappearance shown in the drawings is one of many ornamental appearancesthat can be employed to achieve the stated functions of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Virtually all flameless candles include some type of actuator thatallows a user to turn the light source ON or OFF. Other types offunctionality may also be activated/deactivated using such actuators.Often, these types actuators are located on the bottom of the candle, soas to preserve the illusion of a real candle. Yet the bottom of thecandle is not immediately accessible to a user. With such candles, itmay be necessary for the user to pick the candle up and/or turn itsideways or upside-down to access the actuator. Besides physicalswitches (including slide switches, push buttons, etc.), other types ofactuators may enable a user to enable functionality in candles. Suchother actuators may include capacitive touch sensors, microphonesensors, motion sensors, other types of remote sensing sensors, or thelike. While these types of sensors may allow a user to activate and/ordeactivate functionality without first physically turning the candle,they may add unwanted cost and/or complexity.

Instead, of these solutions, certain techniques disclosed herein allowfor a user to activate and/or deactivate functionality of a candlewithout first moving the candle sideways or upside-down. In particular,certain candles have protruding flame elements. Certain techniquesdisclosed herein may enable a user to move the flame element withrespect to at least a portion of the candle body to selectively activatecandle functionality, such as energizing and/or de-energizing the lightsource(s). For example, certain techniques disclosed herein may providefor a design in which the flame element can be rotated (e.g., clockwiseand counterclockwise) with respect to the candle body to turn thecandle's light source ON and OFF.

As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, a candle 100 may include a shell 120, a flameelement 110, a light source 130, a base 140, a power source 150, and apower source door 160. A candle body may be formed at least in part bythe shell 120, the base 140, and/or the power source door 160. Thecandle body may house the power source 150 (e.g., one or more batteries,such as a button battery like a CR2032). The power source door 160 maybe located in a lower region of the candle 100. The power source door160 may be removable to access the power source and remove or insert itinto a compartment within the candle 100.

As shown in FIG. 4, the light source 130 may include an LED package,further including a case 136 housing at least one light-emittingdiode(s), a first lead 132 connected to the anode(s) of thelight-emitting diode(s), and a second lead 134 connected to thecathode(s) of the light-emitting diode(s). The LED package 130 mayinclude circuitry to control the light-emitting diode(s). The circuitrymay be encapsulated inside the case 136 or located elsewhere. Thecircuitry may include one or more processors. The circuitry may modulatepower provided to light-emitting diode(s) to cause dimming or aflickering effect (e.g., to emulate the appearance of a true flame). Thecircuitry may also enable a timer (e.g., 24-hour timer), enable changingcolors of the light-emitting diode(s), or the like. The light source 130may receive power from the power source 160.

As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, a flame element 110 may be shaped to resemblea candle flame. The flame element 110 may extend upwardly through anaperture in the upper surface of the shell 120, such that the shell 120receives the flame element 110. The flame element 110 may be capable ofrotating relatively freely within the aperture of the shell 120, asfurther discussed herein. The flame element 110 may include an interiorsurface and an exterior surface. The flame element 110 may receive lightemitted from the light source 130 at the interior surface and to passthrough at least a portion of the light to the exterior surface. Theflame element 110 may rotate clockwise and counterclockwise with respectto the upper surface of the shell 120 and/or the base 140 into a firstposition and a second position, respectively or vice versa. For example,the shell 120 and the base 140 may maintain a constant positionalrelationship, while the flame element 120 may rotate with respect to thebase 140 and shell 120. Alternatively, the shell 120 may rotate with theflame element 110 with respect to the base 140, which does not rotaterelative to the flame element 110 and the shell 120.

When the flame element 110 is in the first position, the function of thecandle (e.g., illuminating the light source 130) may be activated (i.e.,ON). When the flame element 110 is in the second position, the functionmay be deactivated (i.e., OFF). In such a fashion, the flame element 110may act as an actuator to selectively activate at least one function ofthe candle 100. In addition to energizing and de-energizing the lightsource 150, other functions may be possible, such as activating a timer(e.g., a 24-hour timer), changing color of the light source 130, causingthe light source 130 to flicker, causing/enabling the candle 100 to emita sound, or the like. The flame element 110 may also move in a verticaldimension to activate or deactivate the function. An example of such avertically-moving flame element 110 is discussed with regard to FIGS.12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B. Such a flame element 110 may both rotate in ahorizontal dimension and move in a vertical dimension at the same time.

A portion of the light source 130 (e.g., at least a portion of the case136) may fit inside an inner cavity of the flame element 110. Further,the first and/or second lead 132, 134 of the light source 130 may passthrough one or more apertures of the flame element 110. As shown in FIG.5, the second lead 134 passes through an aperture (horizontallyoriented) in the flame element 110 from the interior to the exterior,and then passes through another aperture (vertically oriented) where itmakes intermittent contact with a lateral surface of the power source150, depending on the rotational position of the flame element 110. Thefirst lead 132 may constantly contact an upper surface of the powersource 150 (when the power source 150 is installed). The portion of thefirst lead 132 that continuously contacts the upper surface of the powersource 150 may not move, irrespective of the position of the flameelement 110. Alternatively, the portion of the first lead 132 thatcontinuously contacts the upper surface of the power source 150 mayrotate with the flame element 110.

As shown in FIG. 8, the second lead 134 may move depending on theposition of the flame element 110, thereby creating intermittent contactwith the lateral surface of the power source 150 (e.g., negativeterminal). As shown in FIG. 6, the light source lead 132 may be secured(substantially) in place via one or more apertures in the base 140. Thebase 140 (and power source 150) may not move when the flame element 110moves. The light source lead 132 may be formed in a “U” shape as shown,such that the horizontal section of the “U” may constantly contact theupper surface of the power source 150 (e.g., positive terminal).

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 9, 10A, 10B, 11, 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B, theflame element 110 may include a flame-shaped portion 111, one or moreindentations 113, an arm 112, and a downwardly-extending portion 114.The flame-shaped portion 111 may protrude through the upper surface ofthe shell 120 through an aperture. The flame-shaped portion 111 mayinclude one or more indentations 113. Such indentations 113 may receivea portion of a user's finger so as to facilitate grabbing and rotatingthe flame element 110. The arm 112 may extend laterally from a portionof the flame element 110 below the upper surface of the shell 120. Thedownwardly-extending portion 114 may extend downwardly from the arm 112.As shown in FIG. 11, the flame component 110 may be separable into twoportions 116 and 118. These portions may be connected together by afriction fit, a rotational fit where one component rotates to join withthe other component, or the like. The arm 112 and/or thedownwardly-extending portion 114 may guide the second lead 134 of thelight source 130 into a position where it can make selective contactwith a lateral surface of the power source 150. For example, it mayguide the second lead 134 laterally out from the case 136 and thendownwardly towards the lateral surface of the power source 150.

When the flame element 110 is in the ON position, the second lead 134may contact a lateral surface of the power source 150. As shown in FIG.7 by the arrows, an inner surface located on the downwardly-extendingportion 114 of the flame element 110 may push the second lead 134 into alateral surface of the power source 150, thus maintaining a consistentcontact between the second lead 134 and the power source 150 when theflame element 110 is in the ON position. When the flame element 110 isin the OFF position, the second lead 134 may be separated from thelateral surface of the power source 150.

As shown in FIG. 8, the center of the light source 130 may be offsetfrom the center of the power source 150. For example, the position ofthe power source 150 may be offset from the center of the candle shell120 to achieve the effect illustrated in FIG. 8. The base 140 maymaintain the power source 150 in an offset position. So for example, thecase 136 of the light source 130 may be positioned substantially in thecenter of the flameless candle 100 and then encapsulated by the flameelement 110 also substantially in the center. This may give theappearance of a conventional candle, such as a tea light. The powersource 150 below, however, may be offset, such that the center of thepower source 150 does not precisely align with the center of the case136. For example, the power source 150 may have a center axis along aZ-dimension extending upwardly from a center of the power source 150,and wherein the casing 136 of the light source 130 has a center axisalong a Z-dimension extending upwardly from a center of the casing 136.These axes may be offset. In such an arrangement, for example, the spacebetween the portion of the lead 134 that contacts the lateral surface ofthe power source 150 and the power source 150 itself may vary dependingon the rotational angle of the second lead 134.

When the first lead 132 contacts the upper surface of the power source150 (first terminal, e.g. positive or anode) and the second lead 134contacts the lateral surface of the power source 150 (second terminal,e.g., negative or cathode), then current will flow through and energizethe light source 130 (and associated circuitry), and the candle 100 willoperate. When the lateral surface of the power source 150 does notcontact the second lead 134, then current will not flow and the LED isde-energized.

As shown in FIGS. 9, 10A, and 10B, the base 140 may facilitatestabilizing the position of the flame element 110 when in the ON or OFFposition. The base 140 may include at least one detent 142 for the ONposition and at least one detent 142 for the OFF position. The flameelement 110 may include a corresponding at least one protrusion on thearm 112 that mates with the detents 142. The flame element arm 112and/or base 140 may act as a spring allowing the flame element 110 tosnap into and out of the detents 142. The action of snapping into andout of the detents 142 may cause tactile and/or sound feedback so a userknows the candle 100 is in the ON position or OFF position. The candle100 (e.g., the base 140) may include one or more stops to preventover-rotating the flame element 110 beyond the ON and OFF positions.

The detent(s) 142 may be arranged vertically such that they faceinwardly (FIG. 9), or horizontally (FIGS. 10A and 10B) such that theyface upwardly. When the detent(s) 142 are arranged vertically, thecorresponding protrusion(s) on the arm 112 may protrude outwardly in aradial direction away from the flame element. When the detent(s) 142 arearranged horizontally, the corresponding protrusion(s) on the arm 112may protrude downwardly towards the base 140.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B illustrate a candle 100 with a flameelement 110 that moves not only in a horizontal and rotationaldimension, but also moves in a vertical dimension according to certaintechniques of the present application. Instead of the second lead 134being selectively connected and disconnected from a lateral side of thepower source 150 as shown in FIGS. 1-11, the second lead 134 isconstantly connected to the lateral side of the power source 150. Also,instead of the first lead 132 being constantly connected to a top sideof the power source 150, the first lead 132 is selectively disconnectedand connected from the top side of the power source 150, as shown inFIGS. 13A (disconnected) and 13B (connected).

The second lead 134 may include bends such that the second lead extendsdownwardly from the casing 136, outwardly towards the edge of the powersource 150, and downwardly again to provide a surface of the lead 134that can touch a lateral side of the power source 150. In order tomaintain consistent and constant contact between the second lead 134 andthe lateral side of the power source 150, an arrangement such as thatshown in FIG. 7 may be used, whereby a downwardly extending portion ofthe flame element 110 pushes against the second lead 134 against thelateral side of the power source 150 (not shown). Alternatively, thebase 140 may be arranged to apply inward pressure to the second lead 134(not shown).

According the techniques shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B, thefirst lead 132 is arranged in such a fashion so that a portion of thefirst lead 132 is arranged horizontally. The horizontal portion may belocated on a lower end of the first lead 132. The horizontal portion ofthe first lead 132 may move up and down with the flame element 110. Whenthe flame element 110 moves downwardly, the first lead 132 (e.g., alower, horizontal portion thereof) may contact an upper surface of thepower source 150 (see, e.g., FIG. 13B). When the flame element 110 movesupwardly, the first lead may then be disconnected from the upper surfaceof the power source 150 (see, e.g., FIG. 13A).

Vertical movement of the flame component 110 may be facilitated byridge(s) 119 on the flame component 110. The ridges 119 may form a grovethere between. Optionally, instead of ridges 119, a groove may be formedby a recess in the surface of the flame element 110 (not shown). Thegroove may be diagonally oriented with an upward/downward slope. Thegroove may accept an inwardly-protruding portion 144 of the base 140.The inwardly-protruding portion 144 in combination with the groove inthe flame element 110 may constrain and control movement of the flamecomponent in the vertical dimension when the flame element 110 is in theON or OFF positions. The groove may be arranged in such a manner thatthe lower end of the groove (shown on the left side of the groove of theflame element 110 in FIG. 12B) sets the height of the flame component110 in such a way that the first lead 132 may contact the upper surfaceof the power source 150. The groove may further be arranged such thatthe upper end of the groove (shown on the right side of the groove ofthe flame element 110 in FIG. 12B) may set the height of the flamecomponent 110 such that the first lead 132 is above and not contactingthe upper surface of the power source 150. In this manner, as the flamecomponent 110 rotates in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise asdepicted), it may rise up to disconnect the first lead 132 from theupper surface of the power source 150. When the flame component 110rotates in a second direction (e.g., clockwise as depicted), it may godown to connect the first lead 132 to the upper surface of the powersource 150.

The casing 136 of the light source 130 may be located within the flameelement 110. The flame element 110 may include an aperture on itssidewall such that the first lead 132 may pass through this aperture andextend outside of the flame element 110. The first lead 132 may bewrapped at least partially around the arm 112 and/or thedownwardly-extending portion 114. The arm 112 and/ordownwardly-extending portion 114 may include a groove that accepts thefirst lead 132 and maintains the position of the first lead 132 withrespect to the rest of the flame component 110. When the flame component110 is in the ON position, a lower region of the downwardly extendingportion 114 may exert pressure against the first lead 132 to maintaincontact between the first lead 132 and the upper surface of the powersource 150.

Rotation of the flame element 110 depicted in FIGS. 12A, 12B, 13A, and13B may be constrained in a rotational dimension, for example, as shownin FIGS. 9, 10A, and 10B. Using such techniques, detent(s) in the base140 and a corresponding protrusion in the arm 112 may be used to causethe flame element 110 to snap into the ON and/or OFF positions.

A different technique of constraining the rotation of the flame element110 is shown in FIG. 12A. This technique may be also be used with thecandle 100 arrangements shown in FIGS. 1-11. According to thistechnique, the base 140 may have an aperture 147 that accommodates thedownwardly-extending portion 114 of the flame element 110. The aperture147 extends along a rotational dimension. Portions of the base 146 mayact as stops to prevent the flame element 110 from over-rotating beyondthe ON and/or OFF positions of the flame element 110. Detent(s) andcorresponding protrusion(s) (not shown) may be provided in a suitableposition to enable the flame element 110 to snap in and out of the ONand/or OFF positions.

The candle 100 may include other switches or the flame element 110 maybe movable into three or more positions to activate additionalfunctions, such as sound, color, flickering effect, other lightingeffects, timer (e.g., 24-hour timer), or the like. Such switches may belocated on the bottom of the candle.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changesmay be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing fromthe scope of the novel techniques disclosed in this application. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the novel techniques without departingfrom its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the novel techniques notbe limited to the particular techniques disclosed, but that they willinclude all techniques falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A flameless candle comprising: a candle body configured to house apower source; a light source configured to selectively receive powerfrom the power source; and a flame element including an interior surfaceand an exterior surface, wherein the flame element is configured toreceive light emitted from the light source at the interior surface andto pass through at least a portion of the light to the exterior surface,wherein the flame element is configured to move with respect to thecandle body to act as an actuator to selectively activate at least onefunction of the flameless candle.
 2. The flameless candle of claim 1,wherein the at least one function comprises illuminating the lightsource.
 3. The flameless candle of claim 2, wherein the flame element isconfigured to move in at least a vertical dimension.
 4. The flamelesscandle of claim 1, wherein the candle body comprises an outer shell anda base, wherein the outer shell includes an aperture configured toreceive the flame element.
 5. The flameless candle of claim 4, whereinthe flame element is configured to rotate between a first position and asecond position with respect to the candle body.
 6. The flameless candleof claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the light source is configuredto rotate with the flame element such that, when in the first position,the light source is configured to receive a current from the powersource and when in the second position, the light source is configurednot to receive the current from the power source.
 7. The flamelesscandle of claim 6, wherein the at least a portion of the light sourcecomprises a lead of an LED package.
 8. The flameless candle of claim 6,wherein the light source comprises an LED package including a first leadand a second lead, wherein the first lead is constantly electricallyconnected to a first terminal of the power source, and the second leadis electrically connected to a second terminal of the power source onlywhen the flame element is in the first position.
 9. The flameless candleof claim 8, wherein the second lead of the LED directly contacts thesecond terminal of the power source when the flame element is in thefirst position.
 10. The flameless candle of claim 9, wherein the flameelement comprises an arm extending radially and configured to receivethe second lead, such that the second lead rotates with the flameelement.
 11. The flameless candle of claim 10, wherein the second leadis configured to contact a lateral surface of the power source when thesecond lead is in the first position.
 12. The flameless candle of claim10, wherein the second lead is configured to contact a top surface ofthe power source when the second lead is in the first position.
 13. Theflameless candle of claim 11, wherein the flame element comprises adownwardly-extending portion extending downwardly from the arm, whereinthe downwardly-extending portion is configured to apply inward pressureto the second lead when the flame element is in the first position. 14.The flameless candle of claim 11, wherein the second lead comprises afirst portion extending radially away from a body of the light sourceand a second portion extending downwardly away from the first portion,wherein the second portion of the second lead is configured to contactthe lateral surface of the power source when the second lead is in thefirst position.
 15. The flameless candle of claim 5, wherein theflameless candle is configured to provide tactile feedback when theflame element is moved into at least one of the first position or thesecond position.
 16. The flameless candle of claim 15, wherein the basefurther comprises at least one detent configured to receive a portion ofthe flame element to provide the tactile feedback.
 17. The flamelesscandle of claim 16, wherein the at least one detent comprises a firstdetent configured to receive a portion of the flame element in the firstposition and a second detent configured to receive a portion of theflame element in the second position.
 18. The flameless candle of claim17, wherein the first detent and second detent face inwardly.
 19. Theflameless candle of claim 17, wherein the first detent and the seconddetent face upwardly.
 20. The flameless candle of claim 5, wherein thepower source comprises a center axis along a Z-dimension extendingupwardly from a center of the power source, and wherein a casing of thelight source comprises a center axis along a Z-dimension extendingupwardly from a center of the casing of the light source, wherein thecenter axis of the power source is offset from the center axis of thecasing of the light source.